Zion residents worrying over flat, swampy area

WESTERN BUREAU:

Residents of the flood-prone community Zion in Trelawny are already waving a white flag while they anxiously await Hurricane Beryl’s passage over the island on Wednesday.

Their main concern is that the flat swampy lands, which house their dwellings, may prove to not be adequate in the face of a storm. However, while worried, they all told The Gleaner that they have not done much work in preparation of the fast-approaching natural disaster.

“Honestly, I’m not prepared. I am going to be completely honest, I did not do any preparation,” Oshine Hudson said.

Hudson explained that his lack of preparation stems from the previous hurricane seasons where Jamaica went untouched by hurricanes and tropical storms. The resident also pointed out that he is confident in his property as he has recently done work around his yard.

“I’m very confident because I am a jack of all trades and master of none, so I try my best to stabilise my grounds and ensure that things are right.”

Similarly, another Zion resident Carmelita Foster told The Gleaner that she knows her home will be flooded on Wednesday morning should the island experience the projected heavy rainfalls.

According to her, the streets of Zion are no stranger to flooding and residents are almost always expecting to grab a broom after downpours.

“I have an upstairs structure and I know that whenever rain falls, the downstairs will be flooded because the land is sort of low.”

Despite this, she is hopeful that the weather will allow some last-minute preparation early Wednesday morning.

“I am not worried because I know I am going to use some bags with sand to pack around the house. I’m going to do it early in the morning, so I’m just watching the weather,” Foster said.

She further explained that Zion is known to flood regularly based on the location of the community as runoffs from surrounding areas all lead to the swampy lands. In addition to that, rainwater from the nearby highway also run into the community, Foster said.

“You can use a boat to go around the community whenever it rains,” noted Foster.

FEARFUL

Majority of the houses in Zion are made of board and are designed to ease the flow of the swamp water beneath them. However, Sheldon Mooreland, told The Gleaner that he is fearful that Hurricane Beryl will leave him homeless.

“Right now mi a worry enuh fi tell you the truth because if the rain comes with breeze, my house top gone and everything gone,” Mooreland admitted.

“Mi chop out wah likkle gutter, but mi know that cya help because all the water from the nearby [Holland Housing] scheme a come over.”

At the same time, the issue of assistance being rendered to Jamaicans who are mentally challenged was raised by another resident, Denise Patterson, who told The Gleaner that she suffers from a mentally illness.

While pointing to the board structure which she occupies, Patterson said that she has not been able to adequately prepare for Hurricane Beryl as she has no help.

“I am not prepared because I don’t have anybody to help me to batten down the windows or anything. I have five kids, but they are not around, and I have a likkle mental issue,” she said.

When asked if community members are unwilling to assist her, Patterson admitted that she did not request any help.

“I don’t know because whenever my mental illness affects me, I behave rudely so people might not want to help me. Mi nuh really hurt anyone though.”

Should the need arise to seek shelter, Patterson explained that she will visit friends in the community who are living in concrete structures. There are also two nearby emergency shelters at Holland High and William Knibb Memorial High.

rochelle.clayton@gleanerjm.com